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Rentbits is the place to begin your search for apartments and houses for rent in San Jose, California. The
following information will help you to learn what makes San Jose such a fun and exciting place to live and make
your home! If you are a renter looking for rental properties in San Jose, California, rentbits is a great place
to start your rental property search. rentbits is a national rental search engine with a mission of organizing
all of the World's rental information. Use rentbits when looking for apartments for rent in San Jose,
California! rentbits is also a great place to find townhomes for rent in San Jose and condos for rent in San
Jose and cheap apartments for rent in San Jose, California. If you are an advertiser and you are looking to post listings for houses for rent in San Jose and apartments for rent in San Jose, be sure to check out our free Craigslist posting tool! Rentbits makes it easy for advertisers to post ads for houses for rent in San Jose and apartments for rent in San Jose to Craigslist
San Jose- City Information
San Jose is the third largest city in California, the tenth largest in the United States. Anchor to the
31st largest metropolitan area in the country, it is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay. The San
Jose Silicon Valley area is the population center of the greater San Jose San Francisco Oakland Combined
Statistical Area (CSA), a region of nearly 7.5 million people, making it the sixth largest in the United States.
San Jose Economy
The large concentration of high technology engineering, computer, and microprocessor companies around San
Jose has led the area to be known as Silicon Valley. As the largest city in the valley, San Jose has billed
itself "the capital of Silicon Valley." Area schools such as the University of California, Berkeley, University
of California, Santa Cruz, San Jose State University, San Francisco State University, California State
University, East Bay, Santa Clara University, and Stanford University pump thousands of engineering and computer
science graduates into the local economy every year.
San Jose lists 25 companies with 1,000 employees or more, including the headquarters of Adobe Systems,
Brocade Communications Systems, BEA Systems, Cisco, SunPower and eBay, as well as major facilities for
Flextronics, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Hitachi and Lockheed Martin. Sizable government employers include the city
government, Santa Clara County, and San Jose State University. Acer's United States division has its offices in
San Jose.
San Jose Neighborhoods
San Jose has a variety of unique and diverse neighborhoods that make up the character of the city. Some
unique neighborhoods where you can find apartments to rent in San Jose and townhomes to rent in San Jose
include: Deerridge, East Santa Clara Street, Japantown, Story Road, Pleasanton, The Alameda, West San Carlos
Street, 13th Street, Winchester Boulevard. Use renbits for all of your San Jose, California rental searches,
including cheap apartments for rent in San Jose.
San Jose Culture and Living
San Jose has won numerous awards. It was ranked the third Most Fun City in America by Cranium Inc.. In
2004, San Jose was the recipient of America's Most Livable City Award by Partners for Livable Communities. San
Jose was ranked the Fifth Best Place to Live in America by Money Magazine. San Jose was named the Safest Big
City in America (population over 500,000) for three consecutive years by Morgan Quitno Press (based on FBI Crime
Statistics). Sunset Magazine described San Jose's downtown as an "eminently walkable area with level streets,
balmy weather and well-marked attractions." San Jose has also been called the "The Epicenter of Silicon Valley"
by Zagat.com.
Located in the heart of the Silicon Valley, San Jose defines the area that surrounds it. The population is
greater than that of San Francisco, making this the 10th largest city in the US. Once an agricultural
stronghold, San Jose has become a mecca for arts and culture as well as a rapidly growing center for technology.
The hands-on Tech Museum of Innovation is a popular illustration of the art of technology. Downtown, art
galleries and arts organizations south of First Street keep their doors open late the first Friday of every
month. This provides the opportunity for patrons and aficionados to meet the talents who are responsible for the
extraordinary works of art. Here, California casual is always in style, but since San Jose is one of the
wealthiest areas in California, visitors are also assured of excellent shopping and fine dining. And after
picking up a cashmere sweater at Smith Alder, you'll have no problem finding a charming dinner spot at one the
area bistros. Still up for more? The diverse nightlife scene has it all: dance clubs, ultra cool lounges, even
casual pubs. Health and fitness is an obvious lifestyle choice in this vibrant city, and for a round of
concentrated exercise or the chance to "Zen out," many spas, fitness centers and yoga houses welcome drop-ins.
Adding to the never-ending list of fun activities are over 15 local and championship golf courses, more than 20
vineyards, 150 parks and gardens, and theme parks.
The only one "Big Four" team to play in San Jose are the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League
San Jose Colleges and Universities
San Jose is home to several institutions of higher learning, including: San Jose State University, Santa
Clara University, Stanford University, Lincoln Law School of San Jose, Golden Gate University, San Jose City
College and Evergreen Valley College. If you are a student in San Jose, you will need student housing! Rentbits
is a great place to find student housing rentals close to all of San Jose's colleges and Universities. Use
rentbits to find houses for rent and apartments for rent in the San Jose area! Use rentbits to find student
rentals and apartments for rent and houses for rent near Stanford University.
San Jose Public Transportation
Rail service to and within San Jose is provided by Amtrak (the Sacramento San-Jose Capitol Corridor and the
Seattle Los Angeles Coast Starlight), Caltrain (commuter rail service between San Francisco and Gilroy), ACE
(commuter rail service to Pleasanton and Stockton), and a local light rail system connecting downtown to
Mountain View, Milpitas, Campbell, and Almaden Valley, operated by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation
Authority (VTA). Historic streetcars from History Park operate on the light rail lines in downtown during
holidays. Long-term plans call for BART to be expanded into the San Jose area via the East Bay by 2018. In
addition, San Jose will be a major stop on the future California High Speed Rail route between Los Angeles and
San Francisco. Diridon Station (formerly Cahill Depot, 65 Cahill Street) is the meeting point of all
regional commuter rail service in the area. It was built in 1935 by the Southern Pacific Railroad, and was
refurbished in 1994. VTA also operates many bus routes in San Jose and the surrounding communities, as well as offering paratransit
services to local residents. Additionally, the Highway 17 Express bus line connects central San Jose with Santa
Cruz. If you are looking for apartments for rent near BART in the San Jose area of houses for rent near light rail in San Jose, rentbits is the
place to go!
Metro San Jose Cities and Communities
The Greater Metropolitan San Jose Area consists of the following cities and communities. Be sure to check out rentbits when you are looking for houses for rent, homes for rent, rental properties, house for rent, condos for rent, townhomes for rent, townhouses for rent, apts for rent, apartments for rent, apartments, mobile homes for rent, for rent by owner, for lease by owner, frbo, rental houses, rental homes, rental condos, cheap apartments for rent, luxury apartments, luxury apartments for rent, section 8 houses for rent, income based apartments, furnished rentals, single family homes for rent, rentals, furnished apartments for rent, low income apartments for rent, low income housing, apartments near buses, apartments near trains, apartments near subway, downtown apartments, lofts for rent, apartments for rent downtown, rental properties, section 8 application, section 8 apartments for rent, cheap rentals, relocation rentals, leasing, lease, cheap leases, short term lease, for lease by owner, homes, houses, one bedroom apartments for rent, two bedroom apartments for rent, three bedroom apartments for rent, four bedroom apartments for rent, one bedroom house for rent, two bedroom house for rent, three bedroom house for rent, four bedroom house for rent, one bedroom home for rent, two bedroom home for rent, three bedroom home for rent, four bedroom home for rent, apartments for rent near light rail, houses for rent near light rail, houses for rent close to light rail, apartments for rent close to light rail!
Los Altos
Mountain View
San Jose
Santa Clara
Union City


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Powered by twin 8.1L Mercruisers. She has 2 berths but sleeps 5-6 people, full galley, head with shower and cherry wood interior throughout. She is loaded with electronics, has the black and gold color package.
This boat is on site, please call to set showing appointment.
Sales office is open 9-5 Monday -Saturyday.
As you step into this beautiful cherry wood interior, you find the salon appointed with comfortable seating, including a ultra leather L-shape sofa to starboard, which at the touch of a button, slides out and converts to comfortable sleeping accommodations, also a beautiful cherry wood high-low cocktail table. To port, is the well equipped galley with refrigerator - freezer, 3 burner electric stove, galley sink with sandstone counter tops & microwave. Above the Refrigerator freezer is the TV / VCR / Stereo combination entertainment center for the salon, and plenty of storage. As you continue in, forward of the salon to starboard is the guest stateroom; also outfitted in the ultra leather fabric, with upper and lower bunks, and plenty of storage. This room quickly converts to additional salon seating. A sliding pocket door provides privacy. To port is a fully equipped head compartment with vacu-flush, vanity with sink and shower, also plenty of storage. The forward stateroom has a full size pedestal bed with mattress & lovely cherry wood interior. The stateroom fabric is a lovely beige and ecru comforter adorned with many accent pillows. There are 2 large hanging lockers, as well as cupboards and drawers for storage. This room has a private entrance to the head.
Batteries, Battery Control Switches, AC Converter, Dual 30AMP shore power cables, Generator.
Total Power: T/380 8.1L Mercruisers
Cruising Speed: 17
Max Speed: 27
2313 NE Catawba Rd.
Port Clinton, OH 43452
United States

subset: commoncrawl


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Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced Thursday that Dunkin' Brands Group, owner of Dunkin' Donuts, has agreed to set a date for sourcing 100 percent of the palm oil used to make its products from sustainable sources.
"Dunkin' Brands should be commended for taking the necessary steps to use only sustainably harvested palm oil in its products," DiNapoli said. "Consumers may not realize that many of the foods and cosmetics they eat and use contain palm oil that has been harvested in ways that are severely detrimental to the environment. Shareholder value is enhanced when companies take steps to address the risks associated with environmental practices that promote climate change."
According to the Rainforest Action Network, palm oil is used in more than 50 percent of all consumer goods and imports to the U.S. - a jump of 485 percent in the past decade. Production of palm oil from unsustainable sources has been found to accelerate deforestation, destroy rain forests and promote climate change, all of which present reputational and operational risk to companies that participate in the process and substantial risk to shareholder value. It has been estimated that deforestation and forest degradation account for nearly 20 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
In exchange for DiNapoli withdrawing a shareholder resolution that asked the company to address the social and environmental concerns associated with palm oil production, Dunkin' Brands Group will:
•Set a target date in its next corporate social responsibility report, to be published in the second quarter of 2013, for sourcing 100 percent sustainable palm oil or for purchasing GreenPalm certificates covering 100 percent of sourced palm oil;
•Develop plans in conjunction with its suppliers for independent verification of suppliers' compliance with company policy;
•Include a statement in its 2013 CSR report expressing support for a moratorium on palm oil expansion in rainforests and peatlands; and
•Commit to publicly disclosing company progress on this issue in future CSR reports.
In 2010, DiNapoli reached an agreement with Sara Lee Corp. to support palm oil produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner by purchasing only from suppliers that are members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil. In 2012, DiNapoli reached an agreement with the J.M. Smucker Co. to begin purchasing palm oil from RSPO certified sources in 2012 and source 100 percent of its direct palm oil purchases from responsible and certified sustainable sources by 2015.
Additionally in 2012, the comptroller reached agreements with three additional companies on ways to address climate risk: CMS Energy agreed to provide a unified greenhouse gas reduction target to the fund by mid-2012; Patriot Coal agreed to prepare a report to address environmental harms, risks and steps taken to mitigate its mountaintop mining of coal; and Celgene Corp. agreed to annually report on its environmental, economic and social performance.
In 2013, DiNapoli has filed resolutions with several companies encouraging them to foster sustainable business practices by addressing climate change risks. Resolutions with electric power providers Ameren, DTE Energy, FirstEnergy and SCANA urge the companies to report on actions to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy. DTE Energy agreed to the comptroller's request in late February.
In November, the Asset Owners Disclosure Project, an international not-for-profit global organization whose objective is to protect members' retirement savings from the risks posed by climate change by improving the level of disclosure and industry best practice, named the New York State Common Retirement Fund as the top-ranked U.S. public pension fund in its first-ever global climate investment index. The index shows how most of the world's biggest investors, including pension funds, are managing climate risk.


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American Physical Society Sites|APS|Journals|PhysicsCentral|Physics
- American Physical Society Sites
- Publications
- Meetings & Events
- Programs
- Membership
- Policy & Advocacy
- Careers In Physics
- Newsroom
- About APS
- Become a Member
How many tenure-track or tenured faculty -- male/female?
23 total, 19 Male, 4 Female
How many graduate students-- male/female?
Total 74 Males 63 Females 11
How many post doctoral associates - male/female?
Total 13, 2 Female
Is there a family leave policy for graduate students? If so, describe.
There is personal leave/leave of absence which doesn't stop the clock with regards to years to finish their degree but under this there are exceptions: maternity, miltary and medical which will stop the clock.
Is there family health insurance for graduate students? If so, is it included in the stipend?
There is family health insurance available. There are no fees included in stipend.
Please describe why someone applying to graduate school who is interested in a female-friendly department should choose your department.
The Head of our Department is a female physicist and the President of our Institute is also a female physicist.
Our faculty have an open door policy and we treasure each student and mentor them to succeed in academics as well as emotional intelligence and prepare them for careers that will contribute not only to the science community but have an impact world-wide.
Has the institution had a Climate for Women in Physics Site Visit or Gender Equity Conversation?
Updated: August 05, 2009


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Today is the first day of Spring -- so what better time to trot out a flower-themed Paperblanks® collection? Our Rose Garden collection of blank notebooks is the newest collection to be added to the Paperblanks® catalogue. It is comprised of two designs--"Glowing Rose" and "Wild Rose"--and is available in two formats, Midi and Mini.
Read on to find out more!
Covers That Celebrate Persian Life and Culture
Ah, the rose. The flower most storied and maligned. Our rose garden covers are inspired by miniature lacquer paintings that adorned fine books in 16th-century Persia. The originals were celebrations of the luxury and refinement of Persian life and culture.
Our revival of these ancient covers depicts roses primed on a gold base, surrounded by smaller flowers such as might have been found in the botanical gardens of the Persian court. In a more regal presentation such as "Glowing Rose," the rose takes her rightful place as the focal point. She is surrounded by her ladies-in-waiting: poppies, carnations, dogwood and tulips, and her nobility and pride draw the eye. In contrast, "Wild Rose" is a modest and stylised depiction of her beauty, subtly enhanced by the play of light and shadow.
To find out more about this collection, go to our Rose Garden Collection products page.
Find & Buy Paperblanks®
Interested in buying the Rose Garden writing journals or any other Paperblanks® books? Use our Store Finder to find retailers in your area or online retailers who can ship to your location. Find it by clicking here or by going to paperblanks.com/stores!
Michelangelo, one of the masters of the Italian Renaissance, was born on this day in 1475, and he's also the subject of one of our newest titles. Added to Paperblanks®' Spring 2012 catalogue is "Michelangelo, Handwriting", a writing journal design that reproduces in fine detail a letter handwritten by Michelangelo. This letter demonstrates with every stroke of the pen the refinement and passion of one of the greatest artists humanity has produced.
This design is available in two formats: Ultra and Mini. To find out more about these books, and similar blank books that reproduce the work of some of the greatest writers, thinkers and artists of all time, go to our Embellished Manuscripts products page here.
About Michelangelo: A Genius as Severe as it was Fertile
Michelangelo Buonarroti's (1475–1564) adolescent mind was an incessant battlefield. The opposing forces of religious faith and pagan beauty warred across his consciousness. They also helped spur him to create a pantheon of artistic masterpieces. Considered one of the masters of the Italian Renaissance, over the course of his lifetime he produced the finest frescos and many of the most revered sculptures in the world. Michelangelo possessed a genius as severe and uncompromising as it was fertile.
Michelangelo was renowned for his fierce solitude, yet was one of the great chroniclers of the human form. His anatomical studies are haunting in their expressiveness and precision, while his tombs, such as those designed for Julius II and the Medicis, inspire wordless awe and perhaps even dread.
About Paperblanks®' Embellished Manuscripts Collection
To inspire the writer, these unique writing journals portray the work of some of the greatest writers, thinkers and artists of all time. These reproductions of excerpts from original manuscripts, letters, scores and drawings provide a glimpse into the creative process of figures such as William Shakespeare, Sigmund Freud and Vincent van Gogh.
To see the full range of artists and reproduced manuscripts go here.
Find & Buy Paperblanks®
Interested in buying the Embellished Manuscript writing journals or any other Paperblanks® designs? Use our Store Finder to find retailers in your area or online retailers who can ship to your location. Find it by clicking here or by going to paperblanks.com/stores!


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Charleston Recent Job Listings
Charleston County Facts
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina, surpassed only by the state capital of Columbia. Charleston is the county seat of the modern Charleston County. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location (Oyster Point) from a location on the west bank of the Ashley River in 1680; it adopted its present name in 1783. Charleston is a major tourist destination, with a considerable number of luxury hotels, hotel chains, inns, and bed and breakfasts and a large number of award-winning restaurants and quality shopping. Charleston is becoming a prime location for information technology jobs and corporations, most notably Blackbaud, Modulant, CSS and Benefitfocus.
Population Status
City: 126,567
Metro: 644,000
Career Expo
Find your next employer or employee at our Career Expo.
Career Level
Search for Jobs based on your career level.


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Laboratory purpose:
The Clinical Hematology Laboratory includes hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, and flow cytometry. It operates 365 days a year; and except for flow cytometry and a rare coagulation test, tests are performed 24 hours a day.
Specialized areas of Hematology are the Bone Marrow Lab, Flow Cytometry, Coagulation Lab, and an Oncology Satellite Lab.
Bone Marrow Laboratory:
In the bone marrow section, technologists assist the physician or physician assistant performing the procedure. They prepare slides, crush preps, and touch preps at the bedside and count a 500-cell bone marrow differential to aid the pathologists in their interpretation.
Flow Cytometry:
The flow cytometry section does immunophenotyping for HIV patients, transplant patients, and leukemia/lymphoma patients. DNA cell cycle analysis is also performed. Research projects include clinical development of new tests.
The studies performed in this laboratory use a laser flow cytometer to excite fluorescent molecules on the surface of cells stained with monoclonal antibodies. The amount of fluorescence emitted allows quantitation of the surface markers on the cells of interest.
Peripheral blood specimens for routine T and B Cell Enumeration are accepted Sunday noon through Friday noon, as the Lab is closed on the weekends. The specimen of choice is one EDTA (purple top) tube delivered to the lab within 2 hours of collection. Do not refrigerate.
The Coagulation Laboratory is a subsection of and is located within the Hematology Laboratory. Clinical consultation is available from Dr. John Owen, Medicine/Hematology, and also from Dr. Hernan Sabio, Pediatrics.
The coagulation section offers specialized procedures, such as platelet aggregation, heparin antibody, specific factor assays, and inhibitor testing including lupus inhibitors.
Oncology Satellite Laboratory
A satellite lab in the Comprehensive Cancer Center provides CBCs, diff, platelet counts, retics, PTs, PTTs, and urinalysis for the patients in that building.
Blood is drawn in a phlebotomy area adjacent to the lab and clinics in order to provide a quick turnaround time prior to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, transfusions, pheresis, or routine check-ups. This lab is staffed Monday through Friday from 7a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
All Anatomic Pathology LabsAll Clinical Pathology LabsReference Labs and ConsultationsPathology Home PagePathology Research Home PageSchool of Medicine Home PageMedical Center Home PageWake Forest University
Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, evaluation or care from your physician or other qualified health care provider.


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If you're new to canning, deciding between water bath (boiling-water) canning and pressure canning can be a difficult task. Water bath canning seems easier, and works for fruits and pickles, but can't be used for low-acid foods such as red meat and some vegetables. Pressure canning, on the other hand, can be intimidating to novices, particularly if you've heard the old tales of exploding canners. With this helpful excerpt from the United States Department of Agriculture's Complete Guide to Home Canning, you'll learn the difference between pressure canning and water bath canning to decide which is best for you. Use this and our other canning resources to stock up after your harvest.
The following is an excerpt from the USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning covering how to can carrots.
Whether food should be processed in a pressure canner or boiling-water canner to control botulinum bacteria depends on the acidity of the food. Acidity may be natural, as in most fruits, or added, as in pickled food. Low-acid canned foods are not acidic enough to prevent the growth of these bacteria. Acid foods contain enough acid to block their growth, or destroy them more rapidly when heated. The term "pH" is a measure of acidity; the lower its value, the more acid the food. The acidity level in foods can be increased by adding lemon juice, citric acid, or vinegar.
Low-acid foods have pH values higher than 4.6. They include red meats, seafood, poultry, milk, and all fresh vegetables except for most tomatoes. Most mixtures of low-acid and acid foods also have pH values above 4.6 unless their recipes include enough lemon juice, citric acid, or vinegar to make them acid foods. Acid foods have a pH of 4.6 or lower. They include fruits, pickles, sauerkraut, jams, jellies, marmalades, and fruit butters.
Although tomatoes usually are considered an acid food, some are now known to have pH values slightly above 4.6. Figs also have pH values slightly above 4.6. Therefore, if they are to be canned as acid foods, these products must be acidified to a pH of 4.6 or lower with lemon juice or citric acid. Properly acidified tomatoes and figs are acid foods and can be safely processed in a boiling-water canner.
Botulinum spores are very hard to destroy at boiling-water temperatures; the higher the canner temperature, the more easily they are destroyed. Therefore, all low-acid foods should be sterilized at temperatures of 240 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, attainable with pressure canners operated at 10 to 15 PSIG. PSIG means pounds per square inch of pressure as measured by gauge. The more familiar "PSI" designation is used hereafter in this publication. At temperatures of 240 to 250 degrees, the time needed to destroy bacteria in low-acid canned food ranges from 20 to 100 minutes. The exact time depends on the kind of food being canned, the way it is packed into jars, and the size of jars. The time needed to safely process low-acid foods in a boiling-water canner ranges from 7 to 11 hours; the time needed to process acid foods in boiling water varies from 5 to 85 minutes.
For more information on which foods are high or low in acidity, check out the Slideshow.
Equipment for heat-processing home-canned food is of two main types — boiling water canners and pressure canners. Most are designed to hold seven quart jars or eight to nine pints. Small pressure canners hold four-quart jars; some large pressure canners hold 18 pint jars in two layers, but hold only seven quart jars. Pressure saucepans with smaller volume capacities are not recommended for use in canning. Small capacity pressure canners are treated in a similar manner as standard larger canners, and should be vented using the typical venting procedures.
Low-acid foods must be processed in a pressure canner to be free of botulism risks. Although pressure canners may also be used for processing acid foods, boiling water canners are recommended for this purpose because they are faster. A pressure canner would require from 55 to 100 minutes to process a load of jars; while the total time for processing most acid foods in boiling water varies from 25 to 60 minutes. A boiling-water canner loaded with filled jars requires about 20 to 30 minutes of heating before its water begins to boil. A loaded pressure canner requires about 12 to 15 minutes of heating before it begins to vent; another 10 minutes to vent the canner; another 5 minutes to pressurize the canner; another 8 to 10 minutes to process the acid food; and, finally, another 20 to 60 minutes to cool the canner before removing jars.
For examples of water bath canners, pressure canners and illusrated examples of how to use each, check out the Slideshow.
These canners are made of aluminum or porcelain-covered steel. They have removable perforated racks and fitted lids. The canner must be deep enough so that at least 1 inch of briskly boiling water will be over the tops of jars during processing. Some boiling-water canners do not have flat bottoms. A flat bottom must be used on an electric range. Either a flat or ridged bottom can be used on a gas burner. To ensure uniform processing of all jars with an electric range, the canner should be no more than 4 inches wider in diameter than the element on which it is heated.
Using Boiling-Water Canners
Follow these steps for successful boiling-water canning:
Pressure canners for use in the home have been extensively redesigned in recent years. Models made before the 1970's were heavy-walled kettles with clamp-on or turn-on lids. They were fitted with a dial gauge, a vent port in the form of a petcock or counterweight, and a safety fuse. Modern pressure canners are lightweight, thin walled kettles; most have turn-on lids. They have a jar rack, gasket, dial or weighted gauge, an automatic vent/cover lock, a vent port (steam vent) to be closed with a counterweight or weighted gauge, and a safety fuse.
Pressure does not destroy microorganisms, but high temperatures applied for an adequate period of time do kill microorganisms. The success of destroying all microorganisms capable of growing in canned food is based on the temperature obtained in pure steam, free of air, at sea level. At sea level, a canner operated at a gauge pressure of 10.5 lbs provides an internal temperature of 240 degrees.
Two serious errors in temperatures obtained in pressure canners occur because:
To vent a canner, leave the vent port uncovered on newer models or manually open petcocks on some older models. Heating the filled canner with its lid locked into place boils water and generates steam that escapes through the petcock or vent port. When steam first escapes, set a timer for 10 minutes. After venting 10 minutes, close the petcock or place the counterweight or weighted gauge over the vent port to pressurize the canner.
Weighted-gauge models exhaust tiny amounts of air and steam each time their gauge rocks or jiggles during processing. They control pressure precisely and need neither watching during processing nor checking for accuracy. The sound of the weight rocking or jiggling indicates that the canner is maintaining the recommended pressure. The single disadvantage of weighted-gauge canners is that they cannot correct precisely for higher altitudes. At altitudes above 1,000 feet, they must be operated at canner pressures of 10 instead of 5, or 15 instead of 10, PSI.
Check dial gauges for accuracy before use each year. Gauges that read high cause under-processing and may result in unsafe food. Low readings cause over-processing. Pressure adjustments can be made if the gauge reads up to 2 pounds high or low. Replace gauges that differ by more than 2 pounds. Every pound of pressure is very important to the temperature needed inside the canner for producing safe food, so accurate gauges and adjustments are essential when a gauge reads higher than it should. If a gauge is reading lower than it should, adjustments may be made to avoid overprocessing, but are not essential to safety. Gauges may be checked at many county Cooperative Extension offices or contact the pressure canner manufacturer for other options.
Handle canner lid gaskets carefully and clean them according to the manufacturer's directions. Nicked or dried gaskets will allow steam leaks during pressurization of canners. Keep gaskets clean between uses. Gaskets on older model canners may require a light coat of vegetable oil once per year. Gaskets on newer model canners are pre-lubricated and do not benefit from oiling. Check your canner's instructions if there is doubt that the particular gasket you use has been pre-lubricated.
Lid safety fuses are thin metal inserts or rubber plugs designed to relieve excessive pressure from the canner. Do not pick at or scratch fuses while cleaning lids. Use only canners that have the Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) approval to ensure their safety.
Replacement gauges and other parts for canners are often available at stores offering canning equipment or from canner manufacturers. When ordering parts, give your canner model number and describe the parts needed.
Using Pressure Canners
Follow these steps for successful pressure canning:
IMPORTANT: If at any time pressure goes below the recommended amount, bring the canner back to pressure and begin the timing of the process over, from the beginning (using the total original process time). This is important for the safety of the food.
When canning in boiling water, more processing time is needed for most raw-packed foods and for quart jars than is needed for hot-packed foods and pint jars. To destroy microorganisms in acid foods processed in a boiling-water canner, you must:
The food may spoil if you fail to add process time for lower boiling-water temperatures at altitudes above 1,000 feet, process for fewer minutes than specified, or cool jars in cold water. To destroy microorganisms in low-acid foods processed with a pressure canner, you must:
The food may spoil if you fail to select the proper process times for specific altitudes, fail to exhaust canners properly, process at lower pressure than specified, process for fewer minutes than specified, or cool the canner with water.
Using Tables for Determining Proper Process Times
This set of guides includes processing times with altitude adjustments for each product. Process times for 1/2-pint and pint jars are the same, as are times for 1-1/2 pint and quart jars. For some products, you have a choice of processing at 5, 10, or 15 PSI. In these cases, choose the canner pressure you wish to use and match it with your pack style (raw or hot) and jar size to find the correct process time. The following examples show how to select the proper process for each type of canner. Process times are given in separate tables for sterilizing jars in boiling-water, dial-gauge, and weighted-gauge pressure canners.
Example A: Boiling-Water Canner
Suppose you are canning peaches as a hot-pack in quarts at 2,500 ft above sea level, using a boiling-water canner. First, select the process table for boiling-water canner. The example for peaches is given in Table for Example A in the Slideshow. From that table, select the process time given for (1) the style of pack (hot), (2) the jar size (quarts), and (3) the altitude where you live (2,500 ft). You should have selected a process time of 30 minutes.
Example B: Dial-Gauge Pressure Canner
Suppose you are canning peaches as a hot-pack in quarts at 2,500 ft above sea level, using a dial-gauge pressure canner. First, select the process table for dial-gauge pressure canner. The example for peaches is given in Table for Example B in the Slideshow. From that table, select the process pressure (PSI) given for (1) the style of pack (hot), (2) the jar size (quarts), (3) the process time (10 minutes), (4) the altitude where you live (2,500 ft). You should have selected a pressure of 7 lbs for the 10 minutes process time.
Example C: Weighted-Gauge Pressure Canner
Suppose you are canning peaches as a hot-pack in quarts at 2,500 ft above sea level, using a weighted-gauge pressure canner. First, select the process table for weighted-gauge pressure canner. The example for peaches is given in Table for Example C in the Slideshow. From that table, select the process pressure (PSI) given for (1) the style of pack (hot), (2) the jar size (quarts), (3) the process time (10 minutes), and (4) the altitude where you live (2,500 ft). You should have selected a pressure of 10 lbs for the 10 minutes process time.
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i am going nuts trying to find a way to do my hot water canning, like I always have, on top o fthe stove but the new stoves with the glass tops say NO CANNING. so I thought in induction burner would work, so I bought one thinking it would heat the water to boiling and keep it that way and now it says no canning. the kitchen I have has the glass topped stove and I cannot find one that matches my new set of appliances. i usually only make jellies, Jams, and canned fruit like peaches, pears and such. it seems if the jars are under water which is boiling for the amount of time suggested it should seal them and kill any germs, but the instructions say NO CANNING> what should I do?
I like steamed foods. They are very delicious and nutritious. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uypd-1NetBo
I like steamed foods. They are very delicious and nutritious. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uypd-1NetBo
This is really good. It's very helpful in understanding these two methods for preserving food items. http://www.pinterest.com/seodress/rocklin-real-estate-qualified-realtor-in-the-rockl/
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text:
Bison bonasus
|Scope: Global
Language: English
|Scientific Name:
|Bison bonasus (Linnaeus, 1758)
|Regional Assessments:
Common Name(s):
|Taxonomic Notes:
|Two genetic lines are distinguished in recent populations: the Lowland line (B. b. bonasus) and the Lowland-Caucasian line (B. b. bonasus and B. b. caucasicus). There are no surviving pure-bred populations of B. b. caucasicus (Pucek et al. 2004).
|Red List Category & Criteria:
|Vulnerable D1 ver 3.1
|Year Published:
|Date Assessed:
|Olech, W. (IUCN SSC Bison Specialist Group)
|Perzanowski, K., Krasinski, Z.A., Krasinska, M., Pucek, Z. (Bison Red List Authority), Temple, H. & Hilton-Taylor, C. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)
The global population of free-living animals was ca. 1,800 in 2006. However, because some of these have not reached breeding age, and because polygyny reduces the effective population size, the total number of 'mature individuals' may be less than 1,000. Although the population declined between the early 1990s and 2000, the current population trend is increasing. Consequently the species qualifies as Vulnerable under criterion D1.
Assessments for the two breeding lines are also included here:
Bison bonasus (Lowland line): Vulnerable D1
In 2000, the total population was 931, not all of these are mature individuals. Although the population declined between the early 1990s and 2000, it is currently increasing.
Bison bonasus (Lowland-Caucasian line): Endangered C1+2a(i)
In 2000, the total population was 714, not all of these are mature individuals. The population decreased by >20% between 1990 and 2000, and has continued to decline since 2000. All subpopulations have fewer than 250 individuals.
"The fate of the European Bison provides an example of the way in which a species may be brought to the brink of extinction in a very short time, and then saved only through great efforts. The saving of the bison has been an undoubted success, but further action to protect what remains a creature of relict distribution will continue to be essential" (Krasiński 2005).
|Previously published Red List assessments:
|Range Description:
|European bison Bison bonasus is the largest herbivore in Europe. Historically it was distributed throughout western, central, and south-eastern Europe and the Caucasus. By the end of the 19th century, there were only two populations of European bison left in the wild: in Białowieża Forest B. b. bonasus and in the western Caucasus mountains B. b. caucasicus. B. b. bonasus was finally driven Extinct in the Wild in 1919, and B. b. caucasicus had been extirpated by 1927. Subsequently, the species survived only in a few European zoological gardens (Sztolcman 1924). As a result of reintroductions and introductions, it now occurs in free-ranging and semi-free herds in Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, Russian Federation, Ukraine, and Slovakia. The introduced Kyrgyzstan subpopulation has recently gone extinct (EBPB 1996, Pucek et al. 2004). Captive populations are well distributed in 30 different countries worldwide (see Pucek et al. 2004 for details). It occurred from sea level to 2,100 m in the Caucasus (Pucek 1986), and in the Carpathians it is presently found at alitutudes of up to 800 m (K. Perzanowski pers. comm. 2006).
|Countries occurrence:
Native:Belarus; Lithuania; Poland; Romania; Russian Federation; Slovakia; Ukraine
|Additional data:
|Range Map:
|Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.
|In historical times, the European bison was widespread and presumably abundant in its native range. However, by the end of the 19th century it was close to extinction, with only two wild populations remaining (Pucek et al. 2004). Shortly after World War I the species was Extinct in the Wild, and the captive population consisted of just 54 (29 males; 25 females) European bison with proved pedigrees (Raczyński 1978, Pucek 1991), originating from 12 founder animals (Slatis 1960). The captive population subsequently increased slowly until World War II, when the species again suffered a steep decline, with the population dropping from 160 animals in 1943 to 93 in 1946 (Pucek et al. 2004).
As a result of captive breeding, reintroductions, benign introductions, and intensive conservation management, the total population of free-ranging bison now stands at c. 1,800. A further c. 1,400 individuals live in captivity (EBPB 2004). Some captive animals are not recorded in the European Bison Pedigree Book, so this is likely to be an underestimate (Pucek et al. 2004). Population structure is such that approximately 60% of individuals are sexually mature (Krasiński 1978, Krasińska and Krasiński 2004). The effective population size is smaller than the total population size, because European bison are a polygynous species, so not all males have the opportunity to breed (Krasiński and Raczyński 1967, Krasinska and Krasiński 1995, Krasińska and Krasiński 2004). The free-living population increased more or less steadily from the mid-1960s to a peak of c. 2000 in the early 1990s (Pucek et al. 2004). Following a period of decline in the mid to late 1990s, the population is once again expanding (W. Olech pers. comm. 2006), although the potential for ongoing growth is limited by a number of factors (Pucek et al. 2004). Two genetic lines are distinguished in recent populations: the Lowland line (B. b. bonasus) and the Lowland-Caucasian line (B. b. bonasus and B. b. caucasicus). There are no surviving pure-bred populations of B. b. caucasicus (Pucek et al. 2004).
|Current Population Trend:
|Additional data:
|Habitat and Ecology:
|Optimal habitats for the European bison are deciduous and mixed forests, but the range should include about 20% of grassland habitats (meadows) (Pucek et al. 2004, K. Perzanowski pers. comm. 2006). In Białowieża Forest (Poland) they primarily forage in moist deciduous forests, and then in mixed coniferous forests (Krasińska et al. 1987, Krasiński and Krasińska 1994). Forest complexes with a mosaic-like forest type arrangement (such as Białowieża and Borecka Forests, Poland) are most favourable. In fresh deciduous forest, European bison find food throughout the vegetative season. In the Caucasus region, European bison prefer foothill forests; in summer, they feed on alpine meadows (Kazmin and Smirnov 1992, Kazmin et al. 1992). However, considerable plasticity of European bison with regard to food means they also forage in habitats where coniferous forests predominate (Krasiński et al. 1999). All European bison populations inhabit ranges that include open areas, such as, mown meadows, deforested feeding glades covered with grass, clear cuts and young plantations up to 10 years old (Dzięciołowski 1991, Krasińska and Krasiński 1994, Krasiński et al. 1999). The attraction of open areas results from the fact that exploited meadows and glades provide ungulates with much more food than the same area of the forest herb layer and food is more easily available there (Korochkina and Bunevich 1980, Kazmin et al. 1992). The species had an important role in the formation of the prehistoric European broad-leaf forest and forested steppe ecosystems (Pucek et al. 2004).
|Congregatory (and dispersive)
|Major Threat(s):
Habitat degradation and fragmentation due to agricultural activity, forest logging, and unlimited hunting and poaching were the primary reasons for the decrease and extinction of European bison populations. Pucek (1991, 1994) has summarized the history of their extinction. Among the primary reasons for the rapid decrease of the European bison population in Białowieża Primeval Forest at the beginning of 19th century was the over-population of deer species, and the drastic reduction of natural food resources for herbivores which followed (Wróblewski 1927). During the period of World War I and the Russian Revolution of 1917, conflict and heavy poaching exacted a severe toll on remaining populations (Pucek et al. 2004).
Conflict and political instability continues to be a threat to the species in the Caucasus, where reintroduced free-living herds have suffered very severe losses (leading to extinctions) in recent years (Pucek et al. 2004). Other current threats include lack of appropriate habitat, fragmentation of populations (and concomitant loss of genetic diversity), inbreeding depression, disease, hybridisation, and poaching. There is little space for a large herbivore such as the European bison in Europe's contemporary ecosystems, especially in the west. The most significant limit for the enlargement of European bison populations is human population density; forestry and agricultural activity is not a limiting factor. Fragmentation and isolation of free-ranging (and captive) herds result in little or no exchange of genetic material. Small isolated populations quickly lose their genetic heterogeneity and are more vulnerable to extinction (Franklin 1980). As yet, the opportunity to reconstruct a more compact geographic range to facilitate migration of bison between herds does not exist. As a consequence of passing a dramatic bottleneck (the current population descends from just 12 founder animals), the gene pool is limited and animals are highly inbred. The average inbreeding coefficient is very high compared to other large mammals, and is equal to 44% in the Lowland line and 26% in the Lowland-Caucasian line for individuals with a full pedigree (Olech 1998). The negative effects of inbreeding, manifested in the decline in reproduction rate, are more strongly pronounced in the Lowland-Caucasian line than in the Lowland line (Olech 1987, 1989, 1998). Inbreeding exerts a harmful effect on skeleton growth, particularly in females (Kobryńczuk 1985), and possibly lowers the resistance of bison to disease and pathologies.
Diseases appearing in European bison populations can bring serious threats to the whole species. It is not certain whether the species has always shown a weak resistance to disease or if immunity has declined, due to limited genetic heterogeneity. The most important disease affects the male reproductive organs and is manifested in the inflammation of the penis and prepuce, leading to diphtheroid-necrotic lesions, diagnosed as balanoposthitis. This disease was discovered at the beginning of the 1980s in Białowieża Forest (Kita et al. 1995, Piusiński et al. 1997, Jakob et al. 2000); although similar symptoms had been reported earlier (Korochkina and Kochko 1982) in Russia and Ukraine (Krasochko et al. 1997). Despite many years of study, its pathogenesis has not yet been elucidated. Other diseases that are potentially major threats to herds include foot-and-mouth disease Aphte epizooticae (to which the species is known to be sensitive) (Podgurniak 1967), and tuberculosis (Żórawski and Lipiec 1997, Welz et al. 2005).
A particular problem concerning the management of extant populations of European bison is the existence of hybrid herds, especially European × American bison hybrids living in the Caucasus. Two free-living hybrid herds have been established in the Caucasus Mountains, in close proximity to reintroduced free-living herds of the pure blood Lowland-Caucasian line. There are fears that all these animals will crossbreed, creating a mixture of various genotypes. According to Russian authors, the distances between herds are not so great, but the configuration of mountain ridges and valleys make it impossible for contact between them. There are also two small semi-free herds of European and American bison hybrids in Toksove Forest Park (St Petersburg) and the Mordovia Wildlife Reserve (Pucek et al. 2004). Finally, poaching as a result of administrative disorders and a failure to enforce nature conservancy law threatens free-living herds of European bison in many countries.
|Conservation Actions:
The species is listed in Appendix III (protected fauna species) of the Bern Convention, and on Annexes II* and IV of the EU Habitats and Species Directive. The European Bison Pedigree Book has been developed, which registers and publishes lists of European bison, enabling the genetic purity of the species to be maintained. A Conservation Action Plan for the species has been published (Pucek et al. 2004), and most countries in which the species occurs have national management plans. The European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) for zoos was established by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) in 1996, and now a third of the captive population is participating in this programme.
Conservation measures recommended in the 2004 Action Plan (Pucek et al. 2004) include the following:
1. Continue captive breeding, following a coordinated programme that focuses on maintaining genetic variability. Hybridisation between existing breeding lines (Lowland and Lowland-Caucasian) should be avoided, as should hybridization between European bison and American bison Bison bison.
2. Establish a Gene Resource Bank (semen collection in the first phase) to serve as a safeguard against loss of important genetic diversity.
3. Continue reintroductions and benign introductions, into forests and other ecosystems (including large tracts of land where human activities are abandoned, such as former farmland or military training grounds). A target of 3,000 free ranging animals of each genetic line is recommended as a management goal. It will be necessary to link isolated subpopulations (e.g., by creating habitat corridors) and restore metapopulation function to enable the population to be self-sustaining in the long term.
4. Regulate bison populations by culling, when necessary, to prevent populations exceeding the carrying capacity of remaining habitat.
5. Manage habitat appropriately, for example by creating watering places, and cultivated meadows or feeding glades for use by other ungulates.
6. Implement and enforce stricter regulations to control poaching.
7. Continue producing the European Bison Pedigree Book, and expand its scope.
8. Establish an International Bison Breeding Centre, to coordinate reintroductions, monitoring of captive and free-ranging herds, and genetic management of particular herds.
9. To promote protection of the species, upgrade it to Appendix II (strictly protected fauna species) of the Bern Convention.
Further details, as well as recommended research activities, can be found in Pucek et al. 2004.
|Olech, W. (IUCN SSC Bison Specialist Group). 2008. Bison bonasus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008: e.T2814A9484719. . Downloaded on 16 August 2018.
|To make use of this information, please check the <Terms of Use>.
|If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please provide us with feedback so that we can correct or extend the information provided


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Conversations With My Virus
By Shana Cozad
March 3, 2011
Greetings and salutations friends!
I prefer to call you all friends, because I think the world these days has more than enough enemies all around and I do not wish to be among the hated or despised. Yet, there are those in this world who will hate me, simply because I breathe the air they breathe. I am a woman living with AIDS.
I suppose my story isn't so unnatural. Girl meets boy. Boy lies about his status. Girl is ignorant and doesn't know anything about boundaries or how to protect herself. Girl breaks up with boy after a one-year relationship. Girl finds out in break-up argument that boy is infected. Girl goes and gets tested. Girl is positive and has AIDS already.
That scenario could happen to anyone ... but it's what happened after my AIDS diagnosis that life really gets interesting for me.
This disease is simply remarkable at bringing out the raw and emotional and scariest aspects of Life, or Death, and often at the same time. Our culture doesn't prepare us how to deal with death very well, and as far as I am concerned, our culture has a haphazard way of preparing us for life anyway. Life is not all Brady Bunch and roses. And no one seems to really be able to be comfortable with the thought of our impending death, ever since our Egyptian ancestors.
So in my opinion, this disease has presented with loads of opportunities to look at. I liked the process of speaking directly to my body, me and my 11 T cells. I liked the part of sitting down one day with my virus, calling a truce, introducing myself properly and giving way to an understanding that this virus did not ask to invade my body; it simply travels from one body to the next according to the humans' level of "willingness to share." I was willing as an entry source, I suppose. I hated condoms. I did not like the awkwardness of putting them on. I did not like the way they smelled. And I did not like hearing guys complain that they couldn't "feel" me. So I believed in birth control pills. I also believed that guys did not lie about their status. And so my virus and I talked primarily about "me" and about what we needed to do next to cohabitate together.
But the interesting thing about conversations with my virus is that I never got hateful or evil conniving messages back. It just simply was a virus, and I had a beautiful young immune system with a not-so-strong genetic factor that allowed my virus to run rampant. My CD4 cells were like filet mignon to a starving person with a great palate and my, did my virus enjoy a feast of kings.
But I did not feel like my virus was out to get me, out to destroy me, bury me six feet under as quickly as it could. It just did what it did. It liked T cells. It liked making babies or "copies of itself" as the medical community calls it. Well, I like making babies too, so we had that in common, even though I technically only had one baby and it had millions. I began to see the irony of carrying a life within me that was itself producing more life, and which I would never "birth" and which the medical community was out to kill.
I understood that this virus and life had the potential to kill me. I know that often bacteria, viruses, fungi, molds, et cetera, are not our friends. I know that there are dozens of microbes in the world that our bodies are not able to cope with. But in the essence of understanding who I was living with, I needed to attempt to have a positive relationship, an understanding of who we both were, before I would have to be forced to defend my existence and wage an internal war against it. It was the honor stage, the bowing of our heads to each other, that is the basis of respect for all living things -- even our future enemies.
So in the beginning, this life process occurred internally within me, and I best accepted it as a sort of never-ending pregnancy. I held my belly. I rubbed my lymph nodes from time to time to feel close to it and be connected. I didn't get a sense it was either male or female, it was an "it." I would tell it when I was having a rough day and that I needed it to slow down. I would tell it when I was having a good day and that I thought we were both doing great. And it was along for the ride as I journeyed through my own fumbling existence as a young woman, living with AIDS, raising a baby boy.
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Shana Cozad
Shana Cozad is a full-blooded Native American enrolled with The Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma. She is also of Caddo, Delaware and a smidgen of French decent. Shana has been a noted, recognized public speaker, HIV/AIDS prevention educator and CTR counselor since 1994. Shana has spoken at numerous schools, universities, AIDS memorials, AIDS Walks and World AIDS Day events. Highlights include POZ Magazine, Keynoting for the 3rd Annual Circle of Harmony Conference and (Keynote for) the Mississippi State Department of Health HIV/STD Service DIS Conference and Update. Shana's story is also among the women's voices in River Huston's book A Positive Life. Shana is currently married to a wonderful lawyer and together they are raising three children in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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Recent Posts:
June 1, 2013 - When My Teenage Son Came Out to Me
November 15, 2012 - Striving for Zero: A Blog Entry by Shana Cozad
October 5, 2012 - The Sight of Death: A Blog Entry by Shana Cozad
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Catalog #
|1 ml
Sarcopenia, the degenerative loss of skeletal muscle mass, quality and strength, lacks early diagnostic tools and new therapeutic strategies to prevent the frailty-to-disability transition often responsible for the medical institutionalization of elderly individuals. Herein we report that production of the endogenous peptide apelin, induced by muscle contraction, is reduced in an age-dependent manner in humans and rodents and is positively associated with the beneficial effects of exercise in older persons. Mice deficient in either apelin or its receptor (APLNR) presented dramatic alterations in muscle function with increasing age. Various strategies that restored apelin signaling during aging further demonstrated that this peptide considerably enhanced muscle function by triggering mitochondriogenesis, autophagy and anti-inflammatory pathways in myofibers as well as enhancing the regenerative capacity by targeting muscle stem cells. Taken together, these findings revealed positive regulatory feedback between physical activity, apelin and muscle function and identified apelin both as a tool for diagnosis of early sarcopenia and as the target of an innovative pharmacological strategy to prevent age-associated muscle weakness and restore physical autonomy.
This publication used the apelin EIA Kit (EK-057-15) from Phoenix Pharmaceuticals.
Vinel C, Lukjanenko L, Batut A, et al. The exerkine apelin reverses age-associated sarcopenia. Nat Med. 2018;
It has been demonstrated that several aspects of adipose-related physiology including adipokine release, exhibit daily oscillations. Physical exercise exerts a strong influence on adipokine release and a possible reverse disruption of peripheral circadian clocks. The aim of this study was to establish the effects of time of day and the Wingate test on appetite perception, food intake and plasma levels of adipokines. Twenty-four moderately active non-smoking males (mean ± S.D. age: 27.1 ± 3.1 years; height: 1.79 ± 0.1 m; weight: 76.1 ± 11.7 kg) were recruited for this study and divided in two groups; one fed with an ad libitum test meal and another one without an ad libitum test meal. Each subject participated in the following studies performed at 11:00 and 23:00 hours on separate days: 1) Exercise study (ES): a 30-second Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT), and 2) sedentary study (SS). Subjects rated their appetite perceptions (hunger and prospective food consumption) on a 100-milimeter visual analogue scale (VAS) at baseline, after exercise, after test meal and during the postprandial/control period. At those time points blood samples were obtained for the measurement of plasma leptin, visfatin and apelin concentrations. Appetite perception and energy intake results at test meal decreased in response to WAnT in comparison with sedentary subjects. Time of day had no statistically significant effect on energy intake but the appetite perception score after test meal at 24:00 hours was statistically higher than that after test meal at 12:00 hours. No significant differences in the tested plasma adipokine concentrations between the trials existed at baseline, however, all plasma adipokine levels at 24:00 hours were higher than those at 12:00 hours. Plasma apelin concentrations after WAnT were significantly higher than its pre-exercise value at 12:00 hours, unlike those at 24:00 hours. Sedentary experiments showed a modest, yet significant, rise in plasma apelin levels after the test meal at 12:00 hours but not after the one at 24:00 hours. There were no significant changes in plasma leptin concentrations after exercise or test meal but a significant decrease in plasma visfatin concentrations after exercise intervention both at the 12:00 hours test and the 24:00 hours test has been observed. Test meals caused a significant rise in visfatin concentrations in sedentary, but not exercise series, in the daytime and nighttime tests. We conclude that time of day is an important aspect to consider in the relationships between exercise, metabolism and appetite. Further studies are needed to explain the specific mechanisms underlying the effects of acute exercise on postprandial physiology at different times of the day.
This publication used an Apelin EIA Kit (#EK-057-23) from Phoenix Pharmaceuticals.
Bilski J, Jaworek J, Pokorski J, et al. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2016;67(5):667-676.
BACKGROUND: Elabela/toddler (ELA) is a critical cardiac developmental peptide that acts through the G-protein-coupled apelinreceptor, despite lack of sequence similarity to the established ligand apelin. Our aim was to investigate the receptor pharmacology, expression pattern, and in vivo function of ELA peptides in the adult cardiovascular system, to seek evidence for alteration in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in which apelin signaling is downregulated, and to demonstrate attenuation of PAH severity with exogenous administration of ELA in a rat model.
METHODS: In silico docking analysis, competition binding experiments, and downstream assays were used to characterize ELA receptor binding in human heart and signaling in cells expressing the apelin receptor. ELA expression in human cardiovascular tissues and plasma was determined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, dual-labeling immunofluorescent staining, and immunoassays. Acute cardiac effects of ELA-32 and [Pyr1]apelin-13 were assessed by MRI and cardiac catheterization in anesthetized rats. Cardiopulmonary human and rat tissues from PAH patients and monocrotaline- and Sugen/hypoxia-exposed rats were used to show changes in ELA expression in PAH. The effect of ELA treatment on cardiopulmonary remodeling in PAH was investigated in the monocrotaline rat model.
RESULTS: ELA competed for binding of apelin in human heart with overlap for the 2 peptides indicated by in silico modeling. ELA activated G-protein- and β-arrestin-dependent pathways. We detected ELA expression in human vascular endothelium and plasma. Comparable to apelin, ELA increased cardiac contractility, ejection fraction, and cardiac output and elicited vasodilatation in rat in vivo. ELA expression was reduced in cardiopulmonary tissues from PAH patients and PAH rat models, respectively. ELA treatment significantly attenuated elevation of right ventricular systolic pressure and right ventricular hypertrophy and pulmonary vascular remodeling in monocrotaline-exposed rats.
CONCLUSIONS: These results show that ELA is an endogenous agonist of the human apelin receptor, exhibits a cardiovascular profile comparable to apelin, and is downregulated in human disease and rodent PAH models, and exogenous peptide can reduce the severity of cardiopulmonary remodeling and function in PAH in rats. This study provides additional proof of principle that an apelinreceptor agonist may be of therapeutic use in PAH in humans.
This publication used Apelin-13 antibody, peptide from Phoenix Pharmaceuticals.
Yang P, Read C, Kuc RE, et al. ,Circulation. 2017;135(12):1160-1173.
Maintenance of human energy homeostasis is regulated by a complex network. Peptides secreted from the gastrointestinal tract (GI) are signaling to the brain and other organs initiating or terminating food intake and energy expenditure. In the present study we investigated basal plasma levels of apelin, orexin-A, and leptin in morbid obese patients. In addition, we measured in a subgroup of these patients in the same individual orexin-A and leptin plasma levels one year after gastric banding surgery.
METHODS: Basal plasma values were determined in obese patients (BMI=48+/-1 kg/m2n=32) after an overnight fast and compared to healthy, normal weighted (BMI=22+/-2 kg/m2n=12) controls. In addition, blood samples were collected in a subgroup of patients (BMI=48+/-1 kg/m2n=8) the day before surgery and 1 year after the operation. Apelin, orexin-A, and leptin levels were analysed using ELISAs.
RESULTS: One year after the operation obese patients significantly lost weight (from 48+/-2 kg/m2 to 39+/-2 kg/m2; p<0,001). Apelin, orexin-A and leptin levels in obese patients were significantly higher compared to control individuals (736+/-50 pg/ml vs. 174+/-14 pg/ml, p<0.0001; 75.3+/-24.1 pg/ml vs. 0.8+/-0.4 pg/ml, p<0.0001; 79.0+/-2.4 ng/ml vs. 5.8+/-0.8 ng/ml, p<0.0001, respectively). Apelin and leptin plasma concentrations also correlated significantly with BMI (r=0.769, p<0.0001; r=0.778; p<0.0001, respectively), while orexin-A correlation was rather weak (r=0.335, p<0.03). No difference between pre- and post-operative orexin-A levels was observed, while leptin plasma levels significantly decreased from 45.1+/-5.4 ng/ml to 27.3+/-6.0 ng/ml (p=0.015).
CONCLUSIONS: Apelin, orexin-A, and leptin plasma levels correlated positively with the BMI. One year after gastric banding with significant loss in BMI basal plasma levels of leptin decreased, while orexin-A remained unchanged.
Plasma apelin levels correlated significantly with BMI (r = 0.769; p = 0.0001). Mean value in obese patients (n = 25; 736 ± 50 pg/ml) was significantly higher compared to controls (n = 12; 174 ± 14 pg/ml, p < 0.0001).
Heinonen MV, et al. Regul Pept. 2005 Aug 15;130(1-2):7-13.
The results presented herein demonstrate that apelin is expressed and secreted by both human and mouse adipocytes. Apelin mRNA levels in isolated adipocytes are close to other cell types present in white adipose tissue or other organs known to express apelin such as kidney, heart, and to a lesser extent brown adipose tissue. Apelin expression is increased during adipocyte differentiation stage. A comparison of four different models of obesity in mice showed a large increase in both apelin expression in fat cells and apelin plasma levels in all the hyperinsulinemia-associated obesities and clearly demonstrated that obesity or high fat feeding are not the main determinants of the rise of apelin expression. The lack of insulin in streptozotocin-treated mice is associated with a decreased expression of apelin in adipocytes. Furthermore, apelin expression in fat cells is strongly inhibited by fasting and recovered after refeeding, in a similar way to insulin. A direct regulation of apelin expression by insulin is observed in both human and mouse adipocytes and clearly associated with the stimulation of PI3K, PKC and MAPK. These data provide evidence that insulin exerts a direct control on apelin gene expression in adipocytes. In obese patients, both plasma apelin and insulin levels were significantly higher suggesting that the regulation of apelin by insulin could influence blood concentrations of apelin. The present work identifies apelin as a novel adipocyte endocrine secretion and focuses on its potential link with obesity-associated variations.
Boucher et al. Endocrinology. 2005 Apr;146(4):1764-71.
The apelin peptide is the endogenous ligand for the apelin G protein-coupled receptor. The distribution of the apelin peptides and receptor are widespread in the central nervous system and periphery, with reported roles in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, blood pressure regulation and as one of the most potent positive inotropic substances yet identified. In this report, we show that in native tissues preproapelin exists as a dimer. Dimeric preproapelin was reduced to monomers by dithiothreitol treatment, indicating disulfide linkages. To evaluate the role of the carboxyl-terminal phenylalanine in the hypotensive action of apelin-13, analogs were generated and tested for their role on blood pressure regulation. Injections of apelin-13 and apelin-12 (15 microg/kg) into spontaneously hypertensive rats lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure to result in decreases of approximately 60% and 15% in mean arterial blood pressure, respectively. Apelin-13(13[D-Phe]) treatment did not differ from apelin-13 in either efficacy or duration of effect, whereas apelin-13(F13A) revealed a loss of function. However, concomitant administration of apelin-13(F13A) (30 microg/kg) blocked hypotensive effects of apelin-13 (15 microg/kg), which revealed that apelin-13(F13A) behaved as an apelin-specific antagonist.
Lee et al. Endocrinology. 2005 Jan;146(1):231-6.
Apelin is a recently discovered peptide that is the endogenous ligand for the APJ receptor. The aim of this study was to characterize apelin expression (mRNA levels) in the rat gastrointestinal (GI) tract and pancreas, to localize distribution of apelin peptide containing cells in the stomach by immunohistochemistry (IHC), to characterize the ontogeny of gastric apelin expression and peptide, and the influence of apelin on gastric cell proliferation in vitro. Additionally, the effect of apelin on cholecystokinin (CCK) secretion, and the involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), protein kinase C (PKC) and changes in [Ca++]i in apelin-induced CCK secretion in vitro were examined. Northern analysis showed a maximal apelin expression in the stomach with a lower expression level in the intestine. Apelin expression was not detected in the pancreas. IHC revealed abundant apelin positive cells in the glandular epithelium of the stomach. The ontogeny study showed a higher apelin expression in the fetal and postnatal rat stomachs when compared to the adult stomach. In contrast to apelin expression, apelin peptide was not detected in the rat stomach until 20 days of age and then increased progressively with age. Apelin was shown to stimulate gastric cell proliferation in vitro. Apelin also stimulated CCK secretion from a murine enteroendocrine cell line (STC-1); apelin-stimulated CCK secretion is mediated through MAPK but not by [Ca++]i signaling. Together, these data indicate that apelin is an important new stomach peptide with a potential physiologic role in the GI tract.
Wang et al. Endocrinology. 2004 Mar;145(3):1342-8.
1. We have determined the binding characteristics of [(125)I]-(Pyr(1))Apelin-13, a putative ligand for the APJ orphan receptor in human cardiovascular and rat tissue and investigated the functional properties of (Pyr(1))Apelin-13 in human saphenous vein.
2. The binding of [(125)I]-(Pyr(1))Apelin-13 to sections of human heart tissue was time dependent and rapid at 23 degrees C. Data were fitted to a single site model with an association rate constant (k(obs)) of 0.115 min(-1). [(125)I]-(Pyr(1))Apelin-13 also dissociated from a single site with a dissociation rate constant of 0.0105 min(-1).
3. In saturation binding experiments [(125)I]-(Pyr(1))Apelin-13 bound to human left ventricle with a K(D) value of 0.35+/-0.08 nM, B(max) of 4.3+/-0.9 fmol mg(-1) protein with a Hill slope of 0.97+/-0.04 and to the right atria with a K(D) of 0.33+/-0.09 nM, B(max) of 3.1+/-0.6 fmol mg(-1) protein and a Hill slope of 0.93+/-0.05.
4. [(125)I]-(Pyr(1))Apelin-13 binding sites were localized using autoradiography to human cardiovascular tissue, including coronary artery, aorta and saphenous vein grafts. In rat tissue a high density of receptors were localized to the molecular layer of the rat cerebellum, rat lung, rat heart and low levels in the rat kidney cortex.
5. (Pyr(1))Apelin-13 potently contracted human saphenous vein with a pD(2) value of 8.4+/-0.2 (n=8). The maximum response elicited by the peptide was 22.6+/-6% of 100 mM KCl.
6. We provide the first evidence of APJ receptor expression, relative densities and functional properties of (Pyr(1))Apelin-13 in human cardiovascular tissue.
Katugampola et al. Br J Pharmacol. 2001 Mar;132(6):1255-60.
The orphan receptor APJ and its recently identified endogenous ligand, apelin, are expressed in the heart. However, their importance in the human cardiovascular system is not known. This study shows that apelin-like immunoreactivity is abundantly present in healthy human heart and plasma. Gel filtration HPLC analysis revealed that atrial and plasma levels of high molecular weight apelin, possibly proapelin, were markedly higher than those of mature apelin-36 itself. As assessed by quantitative RT-PCR analysis, left ventricular apelin mRNA levels were increased 4.7-fold in chronic heart failure (CHF) due to coronary heart disease (p<0.01) and 3.3-fold due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (p<0.05), whereas atrial apelin mRNA levels were unchanged. Atrial and plasma apelin-like immunoreactivity (using Phoenix's Apelin-36 (Human) RIA Kit) as well as atrial and ventricular APJ receptor mRNA levels were significantly decreased in CHF. Our results suggest that a new cardiac regulatory peptide, apelin, and APJ receptor may contribute to the pathophysiology of human CHF. Atrial and ventricular immunoreactive apelin levels Apelin-like immunoreactivity was detected in the heart of organ donors, being over 200-fold higher in the right atria than in the left ventricles (650 ± 145 pg/mg, n=5 and 2.8 ± 0.6 pg/mg, n=10, respectively). There was a tendency for left ventricular ir-apelin levels to be higher in patients with heart failure due to coronary heart disease (4.4 ± 0.5 pg/mg, p=0.07) and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (3.8 ± 0.9 pg/mg, p=0.4) than those in controls, but these changes were not statistically significant (Fig. 1B). Interestingly, atrial ir-apelin levels were significantly decreased in patients with heart failure (Fig. 2B). Plasma apelin levels in normal subjects and in patients with heart failure Immunoreactive apelin was found to be present in normal human plasma (mean, 89.8 ± 5.3 pg/ml, n=6). Plasma levels of ir-apelin were significantly decreased in patients with heart failure due to coronary heart disease compared to normal subjects (in NYHA III: 71 ± 6 pg/ml, p<0.05). Plasma ir-apelin levels showed significant correlation to atrial ir-apelin levels (R=0.4, n=38, p<0.05).
(A), immunoreactive apelin-36 (B), and APJ receptor mRNA (C) levels in control subjects (n=9) and patients with end-stage heart failure due to coronary heart disease (CHD, n=7) and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC, n=6). The mRNA results are expressed as ratios to 18S RNA determined by TaqMan real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Bars indicate means ?nbsp;SEM. *p<0.05 and **p<0.01 vs. control subjects. (A), immunoreactive apelin-36 (B), and APJ receptor mRNA (C) levels in control subjects (n=6) and patients with heart failure (NYHA functional class II or III) due to coronary heart disease (CHD, n=38). Bars indicate means SEM. *p<0.05 and **p<0.01 vs. control subjects. Gel filtration HPLC analysis of immunoreactive apelin in plasma (A,B) and atrial extracts (C,D) of a healthy control (A,C) and a patient with heart failure (B,D). The arrows denote elution positions of bovine serum albumin (V0), apelin-36, and 125I-, used for the calibration of the column.
Foldes G, et al. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2003 Aug 29;308(3):480-5
Apelin is an endogenous ligand of the human orphan receptor APJ (orphan G protein-coupled receptor). This peptide is produced through processing from the C-terminal portion in the pre-proprotein consisting of 77 amino acid residues and exists in multiple molecular forms. Although the main physiological functions of apelin have not been clarified yet, it has been demonstrated that apelin partially suppresses cytokine production from mouse spleen and, specifically, induces the promotion of extracellular acidification and inhibition of cAMP production in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Moreover, it is involved in the regulation of blood pressure and blood flow. In this study we have analyzed, by immunohistochemistry, apelin distribution in several human tissues, demonstrating that apelin has a widespread pattern of expression. These results seem to confirm that apelin functions widely in various tissues interacting with its specific receptor APJ. Tissue and blood sampling. After removal, cardiac tissue samples were blotted dry, immersed in liquid nitrogen, and stored at -80 °C until assayed. For plasma sampling, blood was taken before surgery after 30 min bed rest and collected into chilled tubes containing EDTA. The plasma was separated by centrifugation at +4 oC and kept at -80 oC until assayed. Radioimmunoassay for apelin. Immunoreactive apelin (ir-apelin) was determined from extracted plasma and right atrial and left ventricular samples using an apelin-36 radioimmunoassay kit (Phoenix, Cat-No. RK-057-15). Apelin assay was performed according to the manufacturer's instructions. The sensitivity of assay was 1 fmol/tube. Tissue peptide levels are expressed as a concentration per mg wet weight. HPLC analysis. Gel filtration high performance liquid chromatography (GF-HPLC) and apelin radioimmunoassay were used in order to characterize the molecular form of immunoreactive apelin in plasma and tissue extracts. Aliquots of the atrial tissue homogenates, used for RNA extraction, from healthy subjects and patients with heart failure were diluted to 400 ul of 40% acetonitrile in aqueous 0.1% TFA. Plasma samples (1 ml) were extracted with SepPak C18 cartridges, dried, and reconstituted in 400 ul of 40% acetonitrile in aqueous 0.1% TFA. The samples were passed through Millex HV filters (Millipore) before being loaded into the 7.8 ?nbsp;300 mm ProteinPak-125 column (Waters). The column was eluted with 40% acetonitrile in aqueous 0.1% TFA at 1 ml/min. Fractions of 0.5 ml were collected, dried in Savant SpeedVac, and subjected in duplicate to apelin radioimmunoassay. The column was calibrated with bovine serum albumin (void volume), apelin-36, and 125I- (total volume).
De Falco M, et al. In Vivo 2002 Sep-Oct;16(5):333-6
The orphan receptor APJ and its recently identified endogenous ligand, apelin, exhibit high levels of mRNA expression in the heart. However, the functional importance of apelin in the cardiovascular system is not known. In isolated perfused rat hearts, infusion of apelin (0.01 to 10 nmol/L) induced a dose-dependent positive inotropic effect (EC50: 33.1+/-1.5 pmol/L). Moreover, preload-induced increase in dP/dt(max) was significantly augmented (P<0.05) in the presence of apelin. Inhibition of phospholipase C (PLC) with U-73122 and suppression of protein kinase C (PKC) with stauzrosporine and GF-109203X markedly attenuated the apelin-induced inotropic effect (P<0.001). In addition, zoniporide, a selective inhibitor of Na+-H+ exchange (NHE) isoform-1, and KB-R7943, a potent inhibitor of the reverse mode Na+-Ca2+ exchange (NCX), significantly suppressed the response to apelin (P<0.001). Perforated patch-clamp recordings showed that apelin did not modulate L-type Ca2+ current or voltage-activated K+ currents in isolated adult rat ventricular myocytes. Apelin mRNA was markedly downregulated in cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes subjected to mechanical stretch and in vivo in two models of chronic ventricular pressure overload. The present study provides the first evidence for the physiological significance of apelin in the heart. Our results show that apelin is one of the most potent endogenous positive inotropic substances yet identified and that the inotropic response to apelin may involve activation of PLC, PKC, and sarcolemmal NHE and NCX.
Szokodi et al.Circ Res 2002 Sep 6;91(5):434-40
With the use of an antiserum against human apelin-36 (Phoenix Pharmaceuticals), apelin-immunoreactivity (irAP) was detected in neurons and cell processes of the supraoptic nucleus (SO), paraventricular nucleus (PVH), accessory neurosecretory nuclei (Acc) and suprachiasmatic nucleus. Strongly labeled cells/processes were noted in the internal layer of the median eminence, infundibular stem, anterior and posterior pituitary. Double-labeling the sections with goat polyclonal neurophysin I-antiserum and rabbit polyclonal apelin-antiserum revealed a population of magnocellular neurons in the PVH, SO and Acc expressing both irAP and neurophysin I-immunoreactivity (irNP), the latter being a marker of oxytocin-containing neurons. By inference, the AP-positive but irNP-negative magnocellular neurons could be vasopressin-containing. The presence of irAP in certain hypothalamic nuclei and pituitary suggests that the peptide may be a signaling molecule released from the hypothalamic-hypophysial axis.
Brailoiu et al. Neurosci Lett 2002 Jul 26;327(3):193-7
Apelin is the recently identified endogenous ligand for the G-protein-coupled receptor, APJ. Preproapelin and APJ mRNA are found in hypothalamic regions known to be important in the regulation of food and water intake, and pituitary hormone release. The effects of intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of pyroglutamylated apelin-13 on food and water intake and pituitary hormone release in rats were investigated. Apelin-13 had little effect on food intake, but dose-dependently increased drinking behaviour and water intake at 1 h. Apelin-13 (10 nmol) increased water intake by up to sixfold compared to saline. Compared to saline control, apelin-13 (10 nmol) significantly increased plasma ACTH and corticosterone and decreased plasma prolactin, LH and FSH at 30 min. In vitro, apelin-13 stimulated the release of CRH and AVP from hypothalamic explants, but had no effect on NPY release. These results suggest that apelin may play an important role in the hypothalamic regulation of water intake and endocrine axes.
Taheri et al. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2002 Mar 15;291(5):1208-12
Apelin is an endogenous ligand of the human orphan receptor APJ. We detected apelin-like immunoreactivity in the adipocytes, gastric mucosa, and Kupffer cells in the liver. We also detected apelin-like immunoreactivity localized within the endothelia of small arteries in various organs. Further, it was found that mean arterial pressure after the administration of apelin-12, apelin-13, and apelin-36 at a dose of 10 nmol/kg in anaesthetized rats was reduced by 26+/-5, 11+/-4, and 5+/-4 mm Hg, respectively. In the presence of a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, the effect of apelin-12 on blood pressure was abolished. Furthermore, the administration of apelin-12 (10 nmol/kg) in rats produced a transitory elevation of the plasma nitrite/nitrate concentration from a basal level of 21.4+/-1.6 to 27.0+/-1.5 microM. Thus, apelin may lower blood pressure via a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism.
Tatemoto et al. Regul Pept 2001 Jun 15;99(2-3):87-92
The apelin peptide was recently discovered and demonstrated to be the endogenous ligand for the G protein-coupled receptor, APJ. A search of the GenBank databases retrieved a rat expressed sequence tag partially encoding the preproapelin sequence. The GenBank search also revealed a human sequence on chromosome Xq25-26.1, containing the gene encoding preproapelin. We have used the rat sequence to screen a rat brain cDNA library to obtain a cDNA encoding the full-length open reading frame of rat preproapelin. This cDNA encoded a protein of 77 amino acids, sharing an identity of 82% with human preproapelin. Northern and in situ hybridization analyses revealed both human and rat apelin and APJ to be expressed in the brain and periphery. Both sequence and mRNA expression distribution analyses revealed similarities between apelin and angiotensin II, suggesting they that share related physiological roles. A synthetic apelin peptide was injected intravenously into male Wistar rats, resulting in immediate lowering of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which persisted for several minutes. Intraperitoneal apelin injections induced an increase in drinking behavior within the first 30 min after injection, with a return to baseline within 1 h.
Lee et al. J Neurochem. 2000 Jan;74(1):34-41.
In the search for an endogenous ligand of the human orphan receptor APJ, we have isolated from bovine stomach extracts a novel 36-amino acid peptide, designated apelin. The APJ receptor is one of the G protein-coupled orphan receptors, many of which have been considered to be specific receptors for unidentified hormones and neuropeptides. We recently found the presence of apelin in the adipocytes and vascular walls as well as in the stomach. We examined biological activities of apelin and found that apelin lowered blood pressure in rats and also released cholecystokinin(CCK) from dispersed intestinal endocrine cells. Since apelin is an endogenous ligand for the HIV entry coreceptor APJ, we tested the effect of apelin on the entry of HIV in association with CD4, and found that apelin blocked the entry of HIV-1 and HIV-2.
Takemoto et al. Nippon Rinsho. 2000 Mar;58(3):737-46.
We have recently identified apelin as the endogenous ligand for human APJ. In rats, the highest expression of APJ mRNA was detected in the lung, suggesting that APJ and its ligand play an important role in the pulmonary system. When apelin-36 and its pyroglutamylated C-terminal peptide, [
Hosoya et al. J Biol Chem. 2000 Jul 14;275(28):21061-7.
The orphan G protein-coupled receptor APJ has been shown to be a coreceptor for human and simian immunodeficiency virus (HIV and SIV) strains. We have determined that some HIV and SIV strains use APJ as a coreceptor to infect the brain-derived NP-2/CD4 cells. Because apelin is an endogenous ligand for the APJ receptor, we examined the inhibitory effects of apelin peptides on HIV infection, and found that the apelin peptides inhibit the entry of some HIV-1 and HIV-2 into the NP-2/CD4 cells expressing APJ. The inhibitory efficiency has been found to be in the order of apelin-36>apelin-17>apelin-13>apelin-12.
Zou et al. FEBS Lett 2000 May 4;473(1):15-8.
The apelin peptide was recently discovered and demonstrated to be the endogenous ligand for the G protein-coupled receptor, APJ. A search of the GenBank databases retrieved a rat expressed sequence tag partially encoding the preproapelin sequence. The GenBank search also revealed a human sequence on chromosome Xq25-26.1, containing the gene encoding preproapelin. We have used the rat sequence to screen a rat brain cDNA library to obtain a cDNA encoding the full-length open reading frame of rat preproapelin. This cDNA encoded a protein of 77 amino acids, sharing an identity of 82% with human preproapelin. Northern and in situ hybridization analyses revealed both human and rat apelin and APJ to be expressed in the brain and periphery. Both sequence and mRNA expression distribution analyses revealed similarities between apelin and angiotensin II, suggesting they that share related physiological roles. A synthetic apelin peptide was injected intravenously into male Wistar rats, resulting in immediate lowering of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which persisted for several minutes. Intraperitoneal apelin injections induced an increase in drinking behavior within the first 30 min after injection, with a return to baseline within 1 h.
Lee et al. J Neurochem. 2000 Jan;74(1):34-41.
By using a strategy that we have developed to search for the ligands of orphan seven-transmembrane-domain receptors [S. Hinuma et al., Nature 393 (1998) 272-276], we have recently identified a natural ligand, apelin, for the orphan 7TMR, APJ [K. Tatemoto et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 251 (1998) 471-476]. In this paper, we isolated rat and mouse apelin cDNAs, and analyzed the tissue distribution of apelin mRNA in rats. Although apelin mRNA was widely detected in a variety of tissues, the highest expression of apelin mRNA was detected in the mammary gland of pregnant rats. In the mammary gland, biologically active apelin and its mRNA considerably increased during pregnancy and lactation, and reached a maximal level around parturition. Moreover, a large amount of apelin (14-93 pmol/ml) was found to be secreted in the bovine colostrum, and it was still detectable even in commercial bovine milk. Since apelin partially suppressed cytokine production by mouse spleen cells in response to T cell receptor/CD3 cross-linking, the oral intake of apelin in the colostrum and milk might modulate immune responses in neonates.
Habata et al. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1999 Oct 13;1452(1):25-35.
1. We have determined the binding characteristics of [(125)I]-(Pyr(1))Apelin-13, a putative ligand for the APJ orphan receptor in human cardiovascular and rat tissue and investigated the functional properties of (Pyr(1))Apelin-13 in human saphenous vein. 2. The binding of [(125)I]-(Pyr(1))Apelin-13 to sections of human heart tissue was time dependent and rapid at 23 degrees C. Data were fitted to a single site model with an association rate constant (k(obs)) of 0.115 min(-1). [(125)I]-(Pyr(1))Apelin-13 also dissociated from a single site with a dissociation rate constant of 0.0105 min(-1). 3. In saturation binding experiments [(125)I]-(Pyr(1))Apelin-13 bound to human left ventricle with a K(D) value of 0.35+/-0.08 nM, B(max) of 4.3+/-0.9 fmol mg(-1) protein with a Hill slope of 0.97+/-0.04 and to the right atria with a K(D) of 0.33+/-0.09 nM, B(max) of 3.1+/-0.6 fmol mg(-1) protein and a Hill slope of 0.93+/-0.05. 4. [(125)I]-(Pyr(1))Apelin-13 binding sites were localized using autoradiography to human cardiovascular tissue, including coronary artery, aorta and saphenous vein grafts. In rat tissue a high density of receptors were localized to the molecular layer of the rat cerebellum, rat lung, rat heart and low levels in the rat kidney cortex. 2. (Pyr(1))Apelin-13 potently contracted human saphenous vein with a pD(2) value of 8.4+/-0.2 (n=8). The maximum response elicited by the peptide was 22.6+/-6% of 100 mM KCl. 6. We provide the first evidence of APJ receptor expression, relative densities and functional properties of (Pyr(1))Apelin-13 in human cardiovascular tissue.
Katugampola et al. Br J Pharmacol. 2001 Mar;132(6):1255-60.
Binding Characteristics of [125I]-[Pyr1]-Apelin-13 in Human Heart Tissue
Kd (nM)
Bmax (fmol/mg Protein)
Left Ventricle
Right Atria
Distribution of APJ Orphan Receptor in Human Cardiovascular Tissue
Binding Density of [125I]-[Pyr1]-Apelin-13 (autography)
Heart (LV & RA)
Coronary artery
Saphenous Vein Grafts
Distribution of APJ Orphan Receptor in Rat Tissues
Binding Density of [125I]-[Pyr1]-Apelin-13 (autography)
Kidney Cortex
|Katugampola et al. Br J Pharmacol. 2001 Mar;132(6):1255-60.
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